March 14, 2008
Q: I heard that a new contract is at the U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) for the offering of High Definition (HD) cable services. Do you know when this contract will be finalized and if it will include cable boxes that will allow for the recording of shows in HD to an internal drive? The reason for this is that most of the shows that many of us want to watch either come on late at night after 11 p.m. or during the workday when we cannot watch them. Purchasing a VCR from the current selection at the Navy Exchange would defeat the purpose of providing HD cable service because the VCR’s don’t provide the quality of signal needed by HD TV’s. I currently have a HD recorder but it will not work because Americable does not broadcast the TV guide so that my unit can update its channels and time to record correctly.

A: Americable Japan has sent a request to modify its existing Franchise Agreement (not contract) for an additional 10 years due to a proposed major upgrade of their infrastructure. Negotiations are complete with all concerns addressed at Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ). The modification was forwarded to CNFJ for review and signature along with an executive point paper with the highlights of the modification. The CNFJ Regional Business office is reviewing it prior to final signature.